The Town of North Hempstead's Community Development Agency (CDA) recently provided a loan to Mike and Sam Food Market, Inc. which will allow the owners to fix up and expand the New Cassel business.

With the help of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the North Hempstead Community Development Agency has been providing, for many years, Community Development Block Grant funds for small-business loans to the New Cassel and un-incorporated areas of North Hempstead. The CDA has demonstrated through these small business loans, their commitment, to the development of New Cassel. With this thriving economy, many in the business community have taken advantage of borrowing from an available pool of small business loans to improve their business.

On Monday, Sept. 18, a team of supporting federal, town and county officials gathered on Union Street in New Cassel, at Mike and Sam Food Market, Inc. The occasion was to present a $130,000 check, part of the CDA's Economic Development Loan Program, to Isam and Imad Barakat, owners of the food market. Officials included Roger Corbin, Nassau County legislator representing Westbury, Town Supervisor May Newburger, CDA Executive Director Kevin Saunders, Assistant CDA Director Neville Mullins, Charlie King, representative for the secretary of HUD, Chuck Lesnick of HUD, Siela Bynoe of the Long Island Housing Partnership and Kenneth Kowalczyk, vice president of the Long Island Development Corporation.

Having sought and obtained small-business loans, the owners of the food market have invested in their rapidly expanding businesses to better serve the community.

Isam Barakat, who has been in business since 1978, purchased Mike and Sam Food Market, Inc. in 1982. Isam recognizes the advantage of expanding. "It is too crowded," he said, as he took officials into a space adjacent to the present store during the check presentation ceremonies. That room, which is presently in disrepair, once housed the "Superior Sports Club." As Isam Barakat toured the room under construction with the officials, he explained, "Presently we have 1,800 square feet but we will be expanding to 3,000 square feet upon completion."

With the loan, Isam Barakat plans to add new equipment, make changes to the storefront for more visibility, increase his staff from its current level of six, and continue to satisfy the community.

In addition to selling groceries and cooked meals, Mike and Sam Food Market provides some vital services to the community, such as the WIC food program for mothers of young children and Western Union. Also at the store, customers are able to pay bills, cash checks and purchase groceries. One customer, Siela Bynoe, of the Long Island Housing Partnership and CDA's Economic Loan Committee, was present at the ceremony, and described how the store has impacted her. She shared fond memories of purchasing avocados and other items at the store in the past.

Charlie King, representative for HUD, noted that the loan provided to the food market is intended to improve the local business district. "I hope that our presence will help publicize the use of the community development block grant funds to help create jobs and remove blight in targeted areas," he said. "We are hopeful that the improvements to Mike and Sam Food Market, Inc., will be the first of many commercial improvements along Union Avenue and Prospect Avenue."